Executive Summary
The Harvard Campaign brought Schools and University leadership together to identify institutional needs and
translate them into campaign priorities. Publicly launched with a $6.5 billion goal, it concluded in 2018 with more than
$9.62 billion raised. The campaign joined University-wide coordination, school-level priorities, leadership
involvement, alumni engagement, volunteer participation, and long-term institutional investment. [1–3]
Institutional Growth Context
The campaign linked immediate student and faculty needs with long-term academic capacity, research, campus
development, and cross-School work. Allston development, House renewal, financial aid, faculty support, research,
and teaching and learning connected academic mission with physical and institutional growth. [1–3]
Fundraising Objectives & Institutional Priorities
Priority
Institutional purpose
Financial aid
Expand access and affordability; $1.3 billion+ directed to aid. [2,3]
Faculty / professorships
Support faculty and enduring academic leadership; 142 endowed professorships. [2,3]
Research
Advance inquiry across disciplines, science, and engineering. [1,2]
Teaching and learning
Strengthen educational initiatives and learning environments. [1,2]
Student experience
Support housing, House renewal, and student life. [1–3]
Arts and humanities
Support scholarship, creative practice, and teaching. [1,2]
Allston / facilities
Develop long-term campus and academic infrastructure. [1–3]
Cross-School initiatives
Connect expertise and resources across Harvard. [1,2]
Donor & Constituent Segments
Constituency
Documented relevance
Alumni
Giving, volunteer service, alumni programs, campaign participation. [1,4]
Parents and families; friends
Support student opportunity and University priorities. [1,4]
Major / principal gift donors
Leadership investment in University and School priorities. [1,5]
Foundations / corporations
Institutional relations supporting research and academic priorities. [5]
International alumni and supporters
Participation across 173 countries. [2,3]
Campaign volunteers
Advocacy, engagement, and participation. [1,2]
Fundraising Value Proposition & Approach
Philanthropy strengthens teaching and research, opens access through aid, supports faculty, enriches student
experience, and builds facilities and long-term institutional capacity. The campaign connected individual gifts to
University mission while preserving distinct School priorities. Harvard’s documented approach combined University-
HARVARD UNIVERSITY | STRATEGIC FUNDRAISING & INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH
THE HARVARD CAMPAIGN • 2006–2018
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